IRI - Registration, Plans, Changes for 2010

[wendymom]

There's always room for a couple more on Bacon. We gather all orphans. (if we get in)

[MadeAtMidnight]

1625 loves company!

[waialua359]

Chris,
First of all, thanks for doing this year after year. We will be applying, but a few questions.
What exactly is the filled backpack thing? for second graders?
Dinner-location? attire?

Thanks,
Glenn

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

Here is an IRI 2010 Update.

Some things will stay the same, some will be similar, some will be much different.

IRI - 2010
July 16 & 17
Lawrence North High School

Entry Fee - $500 + a Filled Backpack

3 May - Applications Open - www.IndianaRoboticsInvitational.org
3 May - Volunteer Sign Up Opens
10 May - Team Selections Announced
24 May - Full Payment Due
25 May - Waiting List Opens

Changes from FIRST Breakaway
- None at this time (well, at least none to post)

What will be consistent with the 2009 IRI?
72 Teams (Application and selction process same as past years)
One Field
Backpacks for 2nd Graders
Charity Auction
Team Dinner
Talent Show
Scholarships
Mentor of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Winner Trophies
Cool T-Shirts to Purchase
Supplier Displays
Basic Schedule
4 Team Alliances

Changes from 2009 IRI *
More VIP Activities
More New / Forming Team Activities
Scholarships, Volunteer and Mentor Awards during Saturday Morning Opening Ceremony
No Closing Awards Ceremony Except for Winners and Runner-Ups
No Judges or Judged Awards


* WHY THE CHANGES?
* We want to be able to recognize the mentors and students who receive special awards and scholarships
By announcing these during Saturday morning these individuals can be congratulated during the day Saturday.
* Many teams bring a small crew and are not able to have people in the pits for judges - this allows students to mingle and relax.
* The awards ceremony gets pretty long, when teams are ready to head home after along weekend.
* We will put more focus into VIP activities (lunch, tour guides, etc.) to introduce more new people to FIRST.
* After the finals, the winning and runner up alliances will be awarded their trophies, and we will have a very short closing ceremony.

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by waialua359

Chris,
First of all, thanks for doing this year after year. We will be applying, but a few questions.
What exactly is the filled backpack thing? for second graders?
Dinner-location? attire?

Thanks,
Glenn

the backpack is to be filled with school supplies IIRC... to be donated to 2nd graders.

[Wayne Doenges]

Here is a list of the Backpack contents:
Materials: Small Backpack
1 pair scissors
3 pocket folders
1 box of 24 crayons
3 glue sticks
1 ruler with inches and centimeters
1 package pencils
2 large erasers
2 black pens
2 red pens
2 packages loose leaf notebook paper
1 school supply box
1 package colored pencils
1 package washable markers
2 packages tissues
3 spiral notebooks

I hope this helps

[Josh Fox]

So there are no rule changes planned at this point in time right? Or did I miss something?

Aside from the non-serpentine draft of course.

[ratdude747]

no changes yet... but you KNOW there will be.

[Chris Fultz]

Originally Posted by ratdude747

no changes yet... but you KNOW there will be.

but of course..... (in due time)

[IzzieB]

Our team has never been to IRI, yet we are thinking about applying this year. If our application is accepted, yet we somehow cannot go, do we simply withdraw to allow for someone to move up from the waiting list? We will probably know for sure on if we can/can't go by the end of this week (which is after May 3rd).

[Katie_UPS]

Originally Posted by IzzieB

Our team has never been to IRI, yet we are thinking about applying this year. If our application is accepted, yet we somehow cannot go, do we simply withdraw to allow for someone to move up from the waiting list? We will probably know for sure on if we can/can't go by the end of this week (which is after May 3rd).

As long as you give reasonable notice, its okay. Plenty'o'times I've seen teams drop from the list and other teams bumped up for whatever reason.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by IzzieB

Our team has never been to IRI, yet we are thinking about applying this year. If our application is accepted, yet we somehow cannot go, do we simply withdraw to allow for someone to move up from the waiting list? We will probably know for sure on if we can/can't go by the end of this week (which is after May 3rd).

They admit 80 people and only 72 get in, to allow for stuff like this. There is also a waiting list on top of that, so I think you guys should be fine unless someone else who knows better than me posts and says I'm wrong.

[Chris Fultz]

The listing posted above for backpacks is accurate.
You can bring the backpack to the competition with you and turn it in a check-in.

Dinner is in the school cafeteria. We start serving towards the end of Friday matches, and try to have everyone served before the talent show starts.
Dress is "FIRST Casual".

We will send invitations to 80 teams. The first 72 that respond with an acceptance and payment are in. If we do not have 72 by the cut-off date, anyone in the first group of 80 goes to the bottom of the waiting list and we send invites to the next group of teams to fill the field.

If you sign up, commit and pay, and then cannot attend, a refund depends on timing. Before June 18, we may be able to do a refund if we fill the slot. After June 18, there will be no refunds available.

The objective is to create a strong field of 72 teams and to give teams time to plan for the summer travel. It is difficult to invite teams at the last minute due to school travel restrictions and logistics during the summer.

[wilmo]

Anyone else having trouble finding where to sign up as a volunteer? I guess I'll just send an email in.

[jtdowney]

Originally Posted by wilmo

Anyone else having trouble finding where to sign up as a volunteer? I guess I'll just send an email in.

In the past its always been you need to email volunteer@indianaroboticsinvitational.org and offer to help out.

[Chris Fultz]

this information is at the top of the page, under "CONTACT INFO".

We will add more detials and easier links this week, but you can send an email to the Volunteer link below, with your name and contact info, what role you are interested in, and what experience you have.


Contact Info

General IRI questions: pc@indianaroboticsinvitational.org

Volunteer questions: volunteer@indianaroboticsinvitational.org